Magnetic display device

ABSTRACT

A display device including a display case for displaying an item, and a frame disposed around a perimeter edge of the display case, the frame comprising at least one magnetic frame element. In an exemplary embodiment, multiple display devices are arranged to form a modular display device. In another exemplary embodiment, multiple display devices may be arranged in a modular display device album.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to display devices, and in particular todisplay devices that can be releaseably attached to one another toprovide a modular display system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Display devices, such as, for example, photo frames, compact discholders, and other such devices for holding and displaying various itemssuch as stamps, advertising products, coins, a clock, or LCD temperaturedisplays are usually stand-alone items, and if available in modularform, often requires a number mechanical steps to engage or disengagethe display device from an adjacent display device. For example, in thecase of adding a photo to a photo album, one must either insert thephoto into a sleeve of a photo album page, or add another page to thealbum that will hold the photo. This task is often more time-consumingthan expected, since the photo must be aligned with other photos on thealbum page or the added page must be mechanically fastened to the otherpages.

Accordingly, there is a need for a modular display device system thatallows for quick and easy addition or removal of individual displaydevices while also having the capability to temporarily or permanentlystore such display devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention comprises: a display case for displaying an item; and a framedisposed around a perimeter edge of the display case, the framecomprising at least one magnetic frame element.

In at least one embodiment, the display case comprises a first side anda second side opposite the first side, and the at least one magneticframe element is disposed around one of the first and second sides ofthe display case.

In at least one embodiment, the at least one magnetic frame elementcomprises a first magnetic frame element and a second magnetic frameelement.

In at least one embodiment, the first magnetic frame element is disposedaround the first side of the display case and the second magnetic frameelement is disposed around the second side of the display case.

In at least one embodiment, the at least one magnetic frame elementcomprises: a housing having an opening; and a magnet disposed within theopening.

In at least one embodiment, the at least one magnetic frame element hasan outer surface and a magnet attached to the outer surface.

In at least one embodiment, the at least one magnetic frame element ismade of a magnetic material.

In at least one embodiment, the at least one magnetic frame elementcomprises a groove that mates with the perimeter edge of the displaycase.

In at least one embodiment, the display case is a photo display case.

In at least one embodiment, the display case is a compact disc displaycase.

A modular display device according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention comprises: a plurality of display units, each displayunit comprising: a display case for displaying an item, the display casehaving a display face; and a frame disposed around a perimeter edge ofthe display case, the frame comprising at least one magnetic frameelement.

In at least one embodiment, the magnetic frame element of a first one ofthe plurality of display device units comprises a first magnet and themagnetic frame element of a second one of the plurality of displaydevice units comprises a second magnet, so that the first magneticdisplay device unit is attached to the second magnetic display deviceunit by the magnetic attraction between the first magnet and the secondmagnet, and the first magnetic display device unit is rotatable relativeto the second magnetic display device unit about an imaginary axisextending through center-points of the first and second magnets.

In at least one embodiment, the magnetic frame element of a first one ofthe plurality of magnetic display device units comprises at least onefirst magnet and the magnetic frame element of a second one of theplurality of magnetic display device units comprises at least one secondmagnet, so that the first magnetic display unit and the second magneticdisplay unit are attached to one another by the magnetic attractionbetween the at least one first magnet and the at least one second magnetand movable relative to one another to at least one of the followingconfigurations: 1) a first configuration wherein the display face of thefirst magnetic display unit is generally co-planar with the display faceof the second magnetic display unit and the first and second magnetshave opposite magnetic orientations; and 2) a second configurationwherein the display face of the first magnetic display unit issuperposed over the display face of the second magnetic display unit andthe first and second magnets have the same magnetic orientation.

In at least one embodiment, the at least one first magnet comprises aplurality of first magnets and the at least one second magnet comprisesa plurality of second magnets, and in the first configuration theplurality of first magnets and the plurality of second magnets form aplurality of essentially superposed pairs of magnets, and the firstmagnetic display unit and the second magnetic display unit are movablerelative to one another to a third configuration wherein the displayface of the first magnetic display unit is generally co-planar with thedisplay face of the second magnetic display unit, the first and secondmagnets have opposite magnetic orientations and the first and secondmagnets of the superposed pairs of magnets are essentially notsuperposed.

In at least one embodiment, the at least one first magnet comprises aplurality of first magnets and the at least one second magnet comprisesa plurality of second magnets, and in the second configuration theplurality of first magnets and the plurality of second magnets form aplurality of essentially superposed pairs of magnets, and the firstmagnetic display unit and the second magnetic display unit are movablerelative to one another to a third configuration wherein the displayface of the first magnetic display unit is at least partially superposedover the display face of the second magnetic display unit, the first andsecond magnets have the same magnetic orientation and the first andsecond magnets of the superposed pairs of magnets are essentially notsuperposed.

In at least one embodiment, the magnetic frame element of a first one ofthe plurality of magnetic display device units comprises at least onefirst magnet and the magnetic frame element of a second one of theplurality of magnetic display device units is made of a magnetizablematerial, so that the first magnetic display unit and the secondmagnetic display unit are attached to one another by the magneticattraction between the at least one first magnet and the magnetizablematerial and movable relative to one another to at least one of thefollowing configurations: 1) a first configuration wherein the displayface of the first magnetic display unit is generally co-planar with thedisplay face of the second magnetic display unit; and 2) a secondconfiguration wherein the display face of the first magnetic displayunit is superposed over the display face of the second magnetic displayunit.

In at least one embodiment, the magnetic frame element of a first one ofthe plurality of display units comprises at least one magnet and themagnetic frame element of a second one of the plurality of display unitsis made of a magnetizable material, so that the first display unit andthe second display unit are attached to one another by the magneticattraction between the at least one first magnet and the magnetizablematerial and movable relative to one another.

In at least one embodiment, the magnetic frame element of the seconddisplay unit comprises a groove, and the at least one magnet isslideable within the groove so that the first display unit and thesecond display unit are movable relative to one another.

In at least one embodiment, the modular display further comprises a rackfor holding the plurality of display units.

In at least one embodiment, the rack is made of a magnetizable material.

In at least one embodiment, at least one of the plurality of displayunits comprises a side wall that is angled outwardly relative to itsdisplay face.

In at least one embodiment, at least one of the plurality of displayunits comprises a support rod that is moveable in contact with anotherone of the plurality of display units to hold the at least one displayunit in position relative to the another one of the display units.

In at least one embodiment, at least one of the plurality of displayunits comprises a bottom surface made of a friction-causing material.

A display album according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention comprises: a plurality of display device units, each displaydevice unit comprising: a display case for displaying an item, thedisplay case having a display face; and a frame disposed around aperimeter edge of the display case, the frame comprising at least onemagnetic frame element; and an album cover that houses the plurality ofdisplay device units.

In at least one embodiment, the album cover comprises: a front coversection; a back cover section; a fold that separates the front coversection from the back cover section; and a sleeve disposed around thefront cover section, the sleeve being slideable relative to the frontcover section so as to adjust storage capacity of the display album.

In at least one embodiment, the magnetic frame element of a first one ofthe plurality of display device units comprises at least one firstmagnet and the magnetic frame element of a second one of the pluralityof magnetic display device units comprises at least one second magnet,so that the first magnetic display unit and the second magnetic displayunit are attached to one another by the magnetic attraction between theat least one first magnet and the at least one second magnet and movablerelative to one another to at least one of the followingconfigurations: 1) a first configuration wherein the display face of thefirst display device unit is generally co-planar with the display faceof the second display device unit and the first and second magnets haveopposite magnetic orientations; and 2) a second configuration whereinthe display face of the first display device unit is superposed over thedisplay face of the second display device unit and the first and secondmagnets have the same magnetic orientation.

In at least one embodiment, the first display device unit comprises aback face opposite to the display face of the first display device unit,the back face comprises a first attachment mechanism, the display faceof the second display device unit comprises a second attachmentmechanism, and the first attachment mechanism engages with the secondattachment mechanism to attach the first display unit to the seconddisplay unit in the second configuration.

In at least one embodiment, the first attachment mechanism comprises ahole and the second attachment mechanism comprises a peg.

These and other features of this invention are described in, or areapparent from, the following detailed description of various exemplaryembodiments of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various exemplary embodiments of this invention will be described indetail, with reference to the following figures, wherein:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a modular display deviceaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views of a modular display deviceaccording to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5-7 are perspective views of a modular display device according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 8-10 are perspective views of a modular display device accordingto another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 11-13 are perspective views of a modular display device accordingto another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 14-17 are perspective views of a modular display device accordingto another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a modular display device according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 19-21 are perspective views of a modular display device accordingto another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a modular display device albumaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 23 and 24 are partial perspective views of the modular displaydevice album of FIG. 22 showing adjacent display device units arrangedin alternative magnetically stable configurations;

FIGS. 25-27 are perspective views of the modular display device album ofFIG. 22 showing the adjustment of the thickness of the album toaccommodate additional display device units;

FIGS. 28 and 29 are perspective views of a modular display device rackaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 30 and 31 are perspective views of a modular display deviceaccording to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 32-34 are perspective views of a modular display device accordingto another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 35 are perspective views of a modular display device according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a modular display device, generallydesignated by reference number 10, according to an exemplary embodimentof the present invention. The modular display device 10 includes a firstdisplay unit 20 and a second display unit 30. Although only two displayunits 20, 30 are shown in FIG. 1, it should be appreciated that anynumber of such display units may be arranged to form the modular displaydevice 10. The display unit 20 includes a display case 22 and a frame 24disposed around the perimeter of the display case 22. This display case22 may be capable of holding and displaying any type of item, such as,for example, a photograph, a compact disc, advertising products, stamps,coins, a clock, LCD temperature displays, or any combination of suchitems. In this regard, the display case 22 preferably has a display face23 that is made of a transparent material, such as, for example, plasticor glass, through which an item may be displayed. Although the displaycase 22 is shown as being rectangular-shaped in FIG. 1, it should beappreciated that the display case 22 may have any other shape, such as,for example, circular or triangular.

The frame 24 includes a number of frame elements 26 disposed around theperimeter edges of the display case 22. As shown in FIG. 1, one or moreof the frame elements 26 may include a magnet 27, so that one or more ofthe frame elements 26 may be considered a magnetic frame element. Inthis embodiment, the magnets 27 are preferably disc-shaped, and attachedto a corresponding frame element 26 at the mid-point of the frameelement 26.

The second display unit 30 preferably has the same structure as thefirst display unit 20, including a display case 32, a frame 34, frameelements 36 and magnets 37. Thus, a magnetic frame element of the firstdisplay unit 20 may be disposed adjacent a magnetic frame element of thesecond display unit 30, resulting in magnetic attraction between thecorresponding magnets 36, 37. As shown in FIG. 2, this arrangementallows the first display unit 20 and the second display unit 30 to pivotrelative to one another about an imaginary X-axis extending through themagnets 36, 37.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a modular display device, generallydesignated by reference number 100, according to an exemplary embodimentof the present invention. The modular display device 100 has the samegeneral structure as the modular display device 10, except for the shapeof the magnets. In particular, the modular display device 100 includes afirst display unit 120, a second display unit 130, and correspondingdisplay cases 122, 132, display faces 123, 133, frames 124, 134, frameelements 126, 136 and magnets 127, 137. The magnets 127, 137 in thepresent embodiment preferably have a generally rectangular shape. Also,the magnets 127, 137 are preferably oriented on the frames 126, 136 sothat their exposed major surfaces have opposite magnetic orientationswhen in face-to-face relation to one another. For example, the magnets127 may have an outer major surface having a north (N) magneticorientation and an inner major surface having a south (S) magneticorientation, while the magnets 137 may have an outer major surfacehaving a south (S) magnetic orientation and an inner major surfacehaving a north (N) magnetic orientation. Thus, the first display unit120 and the second display unit 130 are attached to one another by themagnetic attraction between the magnets 127, 137 and movable relative toone another between a first configuration in which the display face 123of the first display unit 120 is generally co-planar with the displayface 133 of the second display unit 130 and the magnets 127, 137 haveopposite magnetic orientations (as shown in FIG. 3) and a secondconfiguration wherein the display face 123 of the first display unit 120is superposed over the display face 133 of the second display unit 130and the magnets 127, 137 have the same magnetic orientation (as shown inFIG. 4).

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a modular display device, generallydesignated by reference number 200, according to an exemplary embodimentof the present invention. The modular display device 200 has the samegeneral structure as the modular display device 100, except for thearrangement of the magnets. In particular, the modular display device200 includes a first display unit 220, a second display unit 230, andcorresponding display cases 222, 232, display faces 223, 233, frames224, 234 and frame elements 226, 236. Each frame element 226, 236 is agenerally elongated element and is attached to a corresponding perimeteredge of the display case 222, 232 so that the frame elements 226, 236form a generally rectangular boarder around the display cases 222, 232.One or more of the frame elements 226, 236 may include correspondingmagnets 227, 229 and 237, 239, so that one or more of the frame elements26 may be considered a magnetic frame element. The magnets 227, 229,237, 239 in the present embodiment preferably have a generallyrectangular shape. Also, the exposed major surfaces of the magnets 227,229 preferably have magnetic orientations opposite to the magneticorientations of the exposed major surfaces of the magnets 237, 239 whenin face-to-face relation to one another.

In the present embodiment, the magnet 227, 237 is disposed at one end ofa magnetic frame element and the magnet 237, 239 is disposed at anopposite end of the magnetic frame element. As shown in FIG. 5, thisarrangement allows for a portion of the magnets 227, 237 and 229, 239 tobe exposed at magnetic frame elements which are adjacent andperpendicular to the magnetic frame elements to which the magnets 227,237 and 229, 239 are attached.

As shown in FIGS. 5-7, the display unit 230 may be rotated relative tothe display unit 220 about an imaginary z-axis extending perpendicularto the center-point of the display face 223 so that the exposed majorfaces of the magnets 227, 229 are no longer in face-to-face relationwith the exposed major faces of the magnets 237, 239. That is, as shownin FIG. 7, after rotation, the magnets 227, 229 are essentially alignedand co-planar with the magnets 237, 239, with the exposed minor face ofthe magnet 237 being in face-to-face relation with the exposed minorface of the magnet 227 and the minor faces having opposite magneticorientation.

FIGS. 8-10 are perspective views of a modular display device, generallydesignated by reference number 300, according to an exemplary embodimentof the present invention. The modular display device 300 has generallythe same construction as that of the previous embodiments, except forthe arrangement of the display units and magnets. In particular, in thepresent embodiment, one of the display units 320, 330 may swivel aboutthe other display unit 320, 330 about an imaginary z-axis extendingthrough one of a first pair of magnets 327, 337 and a second pair ofmagnets 329, 339. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the second displayunit 330 may be disposed over the first display unit 320 so that themagnets 327, 337 form a plurality of first superposed pairs and themagnets 329, 339 form a plurality of second superposed pairs. Themagnets in each superposed pair of magnets preferably have the samemagnetic orientations so that the display units 320, 330 aremagnetically attracted to one another when the second display unit 330is disposed over the second display unit 320. The second display unit330 may then be pivoted relative to the first display unit 320 about oneof the superposed pairs of magnets. For example, as shown in FIGS. 9 and10, the second display unit 330 may be pivoted relative to an imaginaryz-axis extending through the center point of the superposed pair ofmagnets made up of the magnets 327, 337.

FIGS. 11-13 are perspective views of a modular display device, generallydesignated by reference number 400, according to an exemplary embodimentof the present invention. The modular display device 400 includes afirst display unit 420, a second display unit 430, and correspondingdisplay cases 422, 432, display faces 423, 433, frames 424, 434 andframe elements 426, 436. Each display unit 420, 430 also has an oppositeface 450, 460, respectively, to that of the display face 423, 433. Eachframe element 426, 436 is a generally elongated element and is attachedto a corresponding perimeter edge of the display case 422, 432 so thatthe frame elements 426, 436 form a generally rectangular boarder aroundthe display cases 422, 432. One or more of the frame elements 426, 436may include a series of corresponding magnets 427, 437, so that one ormore of the frame elements 426, 436 may be considered a magnetic frameelement. The magnets 426, 436 in the present embodiment may have anysuitable shape, such as, for example, rectangular or cylindrical.

First major surfaces of the magnets 426, 436 are preferably co-planarwith their corresponding display faces 423, 433 and opposite secondmajor surfaces of the magnets 426, 436 are preferably co-planar withtheir corresponding opposite faces 450, 460. Also, the first exposedmajor surfaces of the magnets 426, 436 preferably have the same magneticorientation and the second exposed major surfaces of the magnets 426,436 preferably have the same magnetic orientations. In this regard, thesecond display unit 430 may be disposed over the first display unit 420so that the magnets 426, 436 form a plurality of magnetically attractedand superposed pairs. The magnets 426, 436 in each superposed pair ofmagnets have the same magnetic orientation (resulting in their exposedfaces having opposite magnetic orientations when in face to facerelation to one another) so that the display units 420, 430 aremagnetically attracted to one another when the second display unit 430is disposed over the first display unit 420. As shown in FIGS. 12 and13, the second display unit 430 may then be slid relative to the firstdisplay unit 420 into a variety of magnetically stable orientations.

FIGS. 14-17 are perspective views of a variation of the exemplaryembodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In the present embodiment, the magnet127 of first display unit 120 is replaced with a magnetic frame element150 made of a magnetizable metal, such as, for example, steel. Thisallows the second display unit 130, along with its magnet 137, to beslid vertically relative to the first display unit 120, with the magnet137 sliding along the magnetic frame element 150. In this regard, themagnetic frame element 150 may be a rail-like structure that guides themagnet 137 to keep the display units 120, 130 co-planar while being slidrelative to one another.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a variation of the exemplary embodimentshown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In the present embodiment, the magnet 27 of thefirst display unit 20 is replaced with a magnetic frame element 50 madeof a magnetizable metal, such as, for example, steel. This allows thesecond display unit 30, along with its magnet 37, to be slid verticallyrelative to the first display unit 20, with the magnet 37 sliding alongthe magnetic frame element 50, as well as pivot relative to the firstdisplay unit 20 around an imaginary x-axis extending through the centerpoint of the magnet 37. In this regard, the magnetic frame element 50may be a rail-like structure that guides the magnet 37 while the seconddisplay unit 30 is moved relative to the first display unit 20.

FIGS. 19-21 are perspective views of a variation of the exemplaryembodiment shown in FIGS. 11-13. In the present embodiment, the magnets427 of the first display unit 420 is replaced with magnetic frameelements 450 made of a magnetizable metal, such as, for example, steel.This allows the second display unit 430, along with its magnets 437, toslide along the first display unit 420, with the magnets 437 slidingalong the magnetic frame elements 450.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a modular display album, generallydesignated by reference number 500, according to an exemplary embodimentof the present invention. The modular display album 500 is capable ofholding a plurality of individual display units, which are, in thisembodiment, compact disc display units 510. However, it should beappreciated that the modular display album 500 is capable of holding anytype of modular display units, such as, for example, modular displayunits capable of housing and displaying photos, stamps, etc. The modulardisplay units 510 may have structure that is substantially the same asany of the structure previously described in relation to the exemplaryembodiments of the modular display devices. For example, as shown inFIGS. 23-24, each modular display unit 510 may include magnets 512arranged along the edges of the modular display unit 510, as in theexemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, so that the modular displayunits 510 attract one another in two magnetically stable positions (anopen configuration shown in FIG. 23 and a closed configuration shown inFIG. 24).

Each modular display unit 510 includes a display face 514 and anopposite face 516. The display face 514 of each modular display unit 510may include a first attachment mechanism 518 that mates with acorresponding second attachment mechanism 520 included on the oppositeface 516 of an immediately adjacent modular display unit 510. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 22, the first attachment mechanism 518 may bea peg that mates with the second attachment mechanism 520, which may bea hole that accepts the peg. The first and second attachment mechanisms518, 520 aid in holding the modular display units 510 together whendisposed within the album 500.

The modular display album 500 also includes a cover, generallydesignated by reference number 540. The cover 540 may be made of anysuitable material, and preferably a flexible material, such as, forexample, polypropylene. The cover 540 includes a front cover section 542and a back cover section 544, with an integral fold 546 formed in thecover 540 between the front cover section 542 and the back cover section544. The cover 540 also includes a sleeve 548 slideably disposed aroundthe front cover section 542. As shown in FIGS. 25-27, the sleeve 548 canbe slid away from the integral fold 546 so as to provide clearance forthe placement of additional modular display units 510 within the modulardisplay album 500.

Alternatively, the modular display units 510 may be arranged on a rack.For example, as shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the modular display units 510may be disposed on a rack 580 made of steel or other magnetic material.In particular, the magnets 512 of each modular display unit 510 may bedisposed in contact with the rack 580 so that a user may flip throughthe modular display units 510 as though they were in an album.

FIGS. 30 and 31 are perspective views of a modular display device,generally designated by reference number 600, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. The modular display device 600 mayhave the same structure as any of the previously described embodiments,including a first display unit 620, a second display unit 630, andcorresponding display cases 622, 632, display faces 623, 633, frames624, 634 and frame elements 626, 636, as well as any of the other magnetconfigurations. However, in this embodiment, the side faces 621, 631 ofeach of the first and second display units 620, 630 may be angledoutwardly relative to the display faces 623, 633. As shown in FIG. 30,angled side faces 621, 631 abut one another to prevent the first displayunit 620 from being completely folded outwardly relative to the seconddisplay unit 630. This provides the modular display device 600 with aslightly bent configuration when opened, which prevents the modulardisplay device 600 from falling over.

FIGS. 32-34 are perspective views of a modular display device, generallydesignated by reference number 700, according to an exemplary embodimentof the present invention. The modular display device 700 may have thesame structure as any of the previously described embodiments, includinga first display unit 720, a second display unit 730, and correspondingdisplay cases 722, 732, display faces 723, 733, frames 724, 734 andframe elements 726, 736, as well as any of the other magnetconfigurations. However, in the present embodiment, a support rod 750 ispivotally attached to the first display unit 720. The support rod 750can be pivoted into engagement with the second display unit 730. In thisregard, the second display unit 730 may include a support rod engagementmember (not shown), such as, for example, a hook or aperture. Once thesupport rod 750 is engaged with the second display unit 730, the modulardisplay device 700 is prevented from being fully extended, as shown inFIG. 34. Thus, the support rod 750 provides stability to the modulardisplay device 700.

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of a modular display device, generallydesignated by reference number 800, according to an exemplary embodimentof the present invention. The modular display device 800 may have thesame structure as any of the previously described embodiments, includinga first display unit 820, a second display unit 830, and correspondingdisplay cases 822, 832, display faces 823, 833, frames 824, 834 andframe elements 826, 836, as well as any of the other magnetconfigurations. In the present embodiment, friction-causing material 850may be disposed on the bottom surface of each of the first and seconddisplay units 820, 830. The friction-causing material 850 may be, forexample, rubber or any other suitable material that provides someresistance against the modular display device 800 from opening to itsfull extent due to the friction-causing material's 850 contact with thesurface on which the modular display device 800 rests.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with theexemplary embodiments outlined above, it is evident that manyalternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of theinvention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, notlimiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention.

1. A display device comprising: a display case for displaying an item;and a frame disposed around a perimeter edge of the display case, theframe comprising at least one magnetic frame element.
 2. The displaycase of claim 1, wherein the display case comprises a first side and asecond side opposite the first side, and the at least one magnetic frameelement is disposed around one of the first and second sides of thedisplay case.
 3. The display device of claim 2, wherein the at least onemagnetic frame element comprises a first magnetic frame element and asecond magnetic frame element.
 4. The display device of claim 3, whereinthe first magnetic frame element is disposed around the first side ofthe display case and the second magnetic frame element is disposedaround the second side of the display case.
 5. The display device ofclaim 1, wherein the at lease one magnetic frame element comprises: ahousing having an opening; and a magnet disposed within the opening. 6.The display device of claim 1, wherein the at least one magnetic frameelement has an outer surface and a magnet attached to the outer surface.7. The display device of claim 1, wherein the at least one magneticframe element is made of a magnetic material.
 8. The display device ofclaim 1, wherein the display case is a photo display case or a compactdisc case.
 9. A modular display device, comprising: a plurality ofdisplay units, each display unit comprising: a display case fordisplaying an item, the display case having a display face; and a framedisposed around a perimeter edge of the display case, the framecomprising at least one magnetic frame element.
 10. The modular displaydevice of claim 9, wherein the magnetic frame element of a first one ofthe plurality of display units comprises a first magnet and the magneticframe element of a second one of the plurality of display unitscomprises a second magnet, so that the first display unit is attached tothe second display unit by the magnetic attraction between the firstmagnet and the second magnet, and the first display unit is rotatablerelative to the second display unit about an imaginary axis extendingthrough the first and second magnets.
 11. The modular display device ofclaim 19, wherein the magnetic frame element of a first one of theplurality of display units comprises at least one first magnet and themagnetic frame element of a second one of the plurality of display unitscomprises at least one second magnet, so that the first display unit andthe second display unit are attached to one another by the magneticattraction between the at least one first magnet and the at least onesecond magnet and movable relative to one another to at least one of thefollowing configurations: 1) a first configuration wherein the displayface of the first display unit is generally co-planar with the displayface of the second display unit and the first and second magnets haveopposite magnetic orientations; and 2) a second configuration whereinthe display face of the first display unit is superposed over thedisplay face of the second display unit and the first and second magnetshave the same magnetic orientation.
 12. The modular display device ofclaim 11, wherein the at least one first magnet comprises a plurality offirst magnets and the at least one second magnet comprises a pluralityof second magnets, and in the first configuration the plurality of firstmagnets and the plurality of second magnets form a plurality ofessentially superposed pairs of magnets, and the first display unit andthe second display unit are movable relative to one another to a thirdconfiguration wherein the display face of the first display unit isgenerally co-planar with the display face of the second display unit,the first and second magnets have opposite magnetic orientations and thefirst and second magnets of the superposed pairs of magnets areessentially not superposed.
 13. The modular display device of claim 11,wherein the at least one first magnet comprises a plurality of firstmagnets and the at least one second magnet comprises a plurality ofsecond magnets, and in the second configuration the plurality of firstmagnets and the plurality of second magnets form a plurality ofessentially superposed pairs of magnets, and the first magnetic displayunit and the second magnetic display unit are movable relative to oneanother to a third configuration wherein the display face of the firstdisplay unit is at least partially superposed over the display face ofthe second display unit, the first and second magnets have the samemagnetic orientation and the first and second magnets of the superposedpairs of magnets are essentially not superposed.
 14. The modular displaydevice of claim 9, wherein the magnetic frame element of a first one ofthe plurality of display units comprises at least one magnet and themagnetic frame element of a second one of the plurality of display unitsis made of a magnetizable material, so that the first display unit andthe second display unit are attached to one another by the magneticattraction between the at least one first magnet and the magnetizablematerial and movable relative to one another.
 15. The modular displaydevice of claim 14, wherein the magnetic frame element of the seconddisplay unit comprises a groove, and the at least one magnet isslideable within the groove so that the first display unit and thesecond display unit are movable relative to one another.
 16. The modulardisplay device of claim 9, further comprising a rack for holding theplurality of display units.
 17. The modular display device of claim 16,wherein the rack is made of a magnetizable material.
 18. The modulardisplay device of claim 9, wherein at least one of the plurality ofdisplay units comprises a side wall that is angled outwardly relative toits display face.
 19. The modular display device of claim 9, wherein atleast one of the plurality of display units comprises a support rod thatis moveable in contact with another one of the plurality of displayunits to hold the at least one display unit in position relative to theanother one of the display units.
 20. The modular display device ofclaim 9, wherein at least one of the plurality of display unitscomprises a bottom surface made of a friction-causing material
 21. Adisplay album comprising: a plurality of display device units, eachdisplay device unit comprising: a display case for displaying an item,the display case having a display face; and a frame disposed around aperimeter edge of the display case, the frame comprising at least onemagnetic frame element; and an album cover that houses the plurality ofdisplay device units.
 22. The display album of claim 21, wherein thealbum cover comprises: a front cover section; a back cover section; afold formed in the album cover that separates the front cover sectionfrom the back cover section; and a sleeve disposed around the frontcover section, the sleeve being slideable relative to the front coversection so as to adjust storage capacity of the display album.
 23. Thedisplay album of claim 21, wherein the magnetic frame element of a firstone of the plurality of display device units comprises at least onefirst magnet and the magnetic frame element of a second one of theplurality of magnetic display device units comprises at least one secondmagnet, so that the first magnetic display unit and the second magneticdisplay unit are attached to one another by the magnetic attractionbetween the at least one first magnet and the at least one second magnetand movable relative to one another to at least one of the followingconfigurations: 1) a first configuration wherein the display face of thefirst display device unit is generally co-planar with the display faceof the second display device unit and the first and second magnets haveopposite magnetic orientations; and 2) a second configuration whereinthe display face of the first display device unit is superposed over thedisplay face of the second display device unit and the first and secondmagnets have the same magnetic orientation.
 24. The display album ofclaim 23, wherein the first display device unit comprises a back faceopposite to the display face of the first display device unit, the backface comprises a first attachment mechanism, the display face of thesecond display device unit comprises a second attachment mechanism, andthe first attachment mechanism engages with the second attachmentmechanism to attach the first display unit to the second display unit inthe second configuration.
 25. The display album of claim 24, wherein thefirst attachment mechanism comprises a hole and the second attachmentmechanism comprises a peg.